Tuesday, 3 March 2009

South East Shop Stewards launch meeting

Nearly 40 trade unionists attended this launch meeting in Brighton to hear from Bill Mullins, NSSN co-organiser, speak about the Lindsey construction worker strikes and to discuss how to build a network in the area.

Reps were present from various branches of NUT, UCU, Unison, RMT, GMB and both halves of Unite. Much of the discussion focused on the lack of political representation for the unions and how they could be broken from Labour.

A small committee of volunteers has got together who will now focus on building the network, in particular spreading it across the South East and bringing in unions not present at the meeting including the CWU and FBU, and to get plans together to support the upcoming UCU strike at Sussex Downs College in Lewes, Newhaven and Eastbourne on the 24 and 25 March.

How to get involved

Trades union councils consist of representatives of trade unions or branches of trade unions which meet within the area covered by that council, or which have members working or living in the area. A union branch will normally affiliate to the trades unions council in the area in which it meets.

Affiliated unions

Who are we and what do we do?

Trades union councils bring together trade unions to campaign around issues effecting working people in their workplaces and local communities.

Trades Union Councils consist of trade unions or branches oftrade unions which meet within the area covered by that council, or which have members working or living in the area. A union branch will normally affiliate to the trades union council in the area in which it meets. Each branch will then send delegates to the trades union council's meetings. These branches pay an affiliation fee. Their delegates elect officers from amongst themselves to represent the views and priorities of the constituent branches and to take responsibility for working for and supporting the policy of Congress and the Trades Union Council (TUC) General Council. This is because trades union councils are registered with the TUC, rather than being entirely independent bodies. The Annual Conference of Trades Union Councils takes place over a May weekend.

Aims and objectives

> Raise public awareness of rights at work and the union role in enforcing those rights.

> Support union and community campaigns for dignity and respect in the workplace and beyond.

With the threats of racism and fascism, changes in the labour market and debates over the future of public services, the trade union voice in the community is as important as ever. The capacity of trades union councils to provide a local response and to organise trade unionists into coalitions with other progressive forces is crucial. They do this by providing services which keep local trade unionists up to date with developments within the wider trade union movement, and by taking up relevant local industrial and community issues.